Text: Mark 11:22-25
Introduction
In our previous discussion, we began by clarifying the concept of faith, particularly biblical faith. Many people mistakenly believe that faith is nothing more than blind hope or an unfounded belief. But, as we examined, true faith is grounded in conviction—it’s the evidence of things hoped for, the proof of what we expect will come to pass. Without this assurance, faith turns into a mere wish, lacking the essence that makes it biblical.
Two key elements underpin our faith: God’s integrity (Hebrews 6:17-18, Titus 1:2, Psalm 110:4) and His ability (Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26, Numbers 23:19). God’s unwavering trustworthiness and His omnipotence provide the foundation for our belief. His integrity guarantees that He will always keep His promises, while His power assures us that nothing is too hard for Him. We also explored how Jesus spoke about different measures of faith, ranging from little faith (Matthew 6:30, 17:19-20) to great faith (Matthew 8:10, 15:27-28).
Today, we continue by examining what determines the size of our faith and how we can foster its growth.
Faith is not static; it can grow. Just as our bodies grow strong when we nourish them, so does our faith when we feed it properly (Romans 1:11, 4:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:3). The size of our faith is proportional to our knowledge of God. The more intimately we know Him, the greater our faith becomes. But this knowledge isn’t just about acquiring information or offering eloquent praises; it’s about a deep, personal conviction of God’s nature, faithfulness, and love. True faith emerges when our hearts and minds are transformed by the reality of who God is.
As we experience more of God’s character, our faith grows. This deepened relationship with God is the bedrock on which our trust in His promises and power rests (2 Peter 3:18, Colossians 1:10; 2:19).
1. Feeding on God’s Word: The Word of God is the essential nourishment for faith. Romans 10:17 explains that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The Bible creates and builds faith within us. When we listen to and meditate on Scripture, it stirs up faith in our hearts and gives us confidence to trust God.
2. Obedience to God’s Word: Faith without obedience is incomplete. Living according to God’s Word demonstrates trust in Him. Obedience is an active expression of faith, and the more we obey, the more our faith strengthens. As we see God’s faithfulness in response to our obedience, our trust in Him deepens (Deuteronomy 7:9).
3. Taking Action: James 2:17 tells us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith must be put into practice to grow. We see this illustrated in Mark 5, where the woman with the issue of blood acted on her faith by reaching out to touch Jesus’ garment. When we take steps of faith in small things, it becomes easier to trust God in greater matters.
1. Let God Decide the Result: Faith requires surrendering to God’s will, allowing Him to dictate the outcome (Proverbs 3:5-6). Faith is not about commanding God to do things our way; it is about trusting Him to work in His perfect way (Psalm 138:8). Faith trusts God for the best result, even if it differs from what we desire (Romans 8:28).
2. Faith Must Align with God’s Will: True faith seeks to align itself with God’s will. We can’t simply ask for anything and expect God to deliver it if it’s not in accordance with His plans for us. Faith operates within the parameters of God’s will (Jeremiah 29:11), which is always good, pleasing, and perfect.
3. Through Prayers: Prayer is an essential avenue through which we express our faith. When we pray, we’re not just voicing our requests; we’re demonstrating our belief that God is able and willing to act on our behalf (Matthew 21:22, James 1:5-6). Every prayer is an act of faith, trusting that God hears us and will answer according to His will.
4. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus: Keeping our focus on Jesus is one of the most effective ways to grow our faith. When Peter looked away from Jesus and focused on the stormy sea, he began to sink (Matthew 14:22-33). Similarly, when we focus on our problems instead of Christ, fear and doubt arise. By fixing our gaze on Jesus, our faith will be strengthened (Hebrews 12:1-2).
1. Fear: Fear is the opposite of faith. While faith believes in things unseen, fear reacts to things that don’t exist or are exaggerated. Fear paralyzes faith because it reflects a lack of trust in God’s ability and integrity (Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7). To walk in faith, we must overcome fear by focusing on God’s promises.
2. Doubt: Doubt is another enemy of faith. It surfaces when we fail to trust God completely. James 1:6-8 teaches that a person who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed by the wind. When we fully believe in God’s love for us and trust that His plans are always for our good, doubt dissipates (Jeremiah 29:11).
God is still in the business of performing miracles. He raises the dead, opens the eyes of the blind, and transforms lives today as He did in biblical times. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can trust Him for our breakthroughs, healing, and provision. By nurturing our faith through God’s Word, prayer, and obedience, we allow our faith to grow and become the evidence of our relationship with Him.
Let us walk in faith daily, reflecting our trust in God through our actions and decisions. This is the mark of a true child of God.
Soteriology 101: Understanding the Work of Christ – Part 7Text: Romans 9:1-33 Introduction Last week, we explored the
Text: Mark 11:22-25 Introduction In our previous discussion, we began by clarifying the concept of faith, particula
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Introduction In our last study, we delved into the cross of Christ, exploring its significa
